Red Velvet Cupcakes

My best friend from high school came to Lake Tahoe yesterday on her way to Yosemite.  I took her and her family to supper at the Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt in Incline Village last night and of course I had to make the most southern of all desserts....the red velvet cupcake.  This is the cake that southern bakers make for Easter, Christmas and weddings - those most special occasions.  We had not seen each other in several years and it was her first trip out west, so it was only fitting that the cake be red velvet.   And I don't even have to mention the cream cheese icing (see numerous blog posts on this subject).


BTW...as with any best friend, we picked up exactly where we left off and it seemed like we had never been apart.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Carpe Cupcakes!

Winter Returns to Lake Tahoe!

Last weekend was warm and sunny....and we almost got fooled into planting colorful things in our flower beds or getting out the patio furniture.  But I have learned a valuable lesson in my 8 years living here.  Don't do anything until mid-June.  Two years ago (on June 24th) we finished a huge landscaping job by planting three truckloads of plants/shrubs.  The next morning there was 4 inches of snow and we had to start all over.  So now we save time (and lots of money) by waiting, even though it is hard to wait!

What we got today.....

IcingDreams via Flickr

What we really wanted today.....

Kayak

cupcakeenvy via Flickr

Biking!

JOE MARINARO via Flickr

Beach!

Katie Stine via Flickr

Let it Snow (more)...Let it Snow (more)...Let it Snow (more)!

It is snowing like crazy this week at Lake Tahoe (10-12 feet by the weekend) so I could not resist more snowflake cupcakes!

Madness Rivera via Flickr

erica_knits via Flickr

Sugadeaux Cupcakes via Flickr

evbjone via Flickr

megyn.ohara via Flickr

If you don't want to create your snowflake toppers with frosting, bake snowflake cookies!

Snowflake cookies from Wilton

Snowflake cookies from Rolling Pin Productions

Glorious Treats via Flickr

iheartcuppycakes1 via Flickr

Celebrate Autumn!

We are having a great leaf change at Lake Tahoe but due to our lack of moisture it will probably only last a few days (it has only rained once since the snow melted last May).  I plan to have a chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and enjoy the reds, oranges and yellows as long as they last!

Spooner Summit 10-18-09